Weekly Brew: Tulips, Art and a Refreshed Soul

March and April have felt like a whirlwind of activity for our family. Anyone else? It seems like even with all of our scheduled events, we barely spent any time together! We purposely set aside this last weekend to do something fun as a family — just Hubby, Bundle and I — before little Baby arrives in a few weeks, and I’m SO glad we did!

If you’re a frequent visitor to A Fresh Brewed Faith, you’ll know flowers are a fairly frequent topic on this blog… I’ll be honest, I absolutely love this time of year!

An Arboretum near us put on a Tulip and Art festival this weekend, and it didn’t take long for us to decide that would be our family outing of choice!

It turned out to be one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had!

Every area of the grounds had a designated space and purpose. “Hidden” gardens with wrought iron gates and climbing ivy, sidewalks flanked on either side with hundreds of crimson tulips and perfectly manicured Korean boxwoods, open grassy areas with wild flowers and rope swings…it was truly magnificent.

The food trucks, art vendors, live music and unbeatable sunny-and-75-degree weather were just the sprinkles on a spectacular day full of precious family moments.

It was one of those days that gave my soul a deep breath of fresh air.

I could literally feel my heart rate even out, my stress levels flatten, and my worries melt off my mind. I’m so glad God knew and provided a way to refresh my soul this weekend.

While Bundle ate a giant chocolate chip cookie and swung on this rope swing with Hubby, I explored every little labeled shrub and unusual flower the nearby beds.

We went on a story walk in a more wooded area put on by the public library.

We basked in the sun at a picnic table while drinking in the live jazz and scent of fresh blooms everywhere.

I’m thankful for these days…these days that remind me how sweet it can be to slow down and (literally) smell the flowers.

Even though it’s the start of a new week, I’m grateful to feel refreshed and ready for the days ahead.

How do you like to slow down on the weekends? What refreshes your soul?